Who We Are
Learn about our mission, vision, and the people behind the movement.
Our Mission
Help One Now empowers families in developing countries through high-capacity local leaders with proven solutions to end extreme poverty.
Our Story
In 2007, Our Founder, Chris Marlow, encountered a starving child in an abandoned gas station in Zimbabwe, inspiring him to create Help One Now. The organization initially focused on caring for children but later shifted to a more holistic approach, empowering entire families through education and entrepreneurship. This model has proven effective in breaking the cycle of poverty and creating long-term change.
Help One Now partners with skilled local leaders in 8 different countries, who are essential to achieving sustainable change. Together, we believe in the power of collaboration to end extreme poverty for good.
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2009
Help One Now officially established as a 501c3 organization (originally as Help End Local Poverty) with our first partnership in Zimbabwe.
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2010
Expansion into Haiti after the January earthquake.
Partnership with three new local leaders.
Drilling of the Zimbabwe water well, which is still in use today!
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2012
Expansion into Uganda and increased focus on education.
The first Legacy Project, which funded the building of Williamson Adrien Academy in Haiti.
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2013
Williamson Adrien Academy hosts its first school year, and Ferrier Village, a trafficking prevention initiative, opens in northeast Haiti.
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2014
Expansion into Ethiopia & Peru.
Program focus shifts to family preservation & orphan prevention.
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2016
Expansion to the Dominican Republic.
Funds raised to empower 300 families in Ethiopia - the first large group in the Family Business Program.
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2019
The Family Business Program is expanded into our other partner countries. Family Empowerment is adopted as the core mission of Help One Now.
Expansion to Malawi.
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2020
Inaugural Leader Summit was held in January.
Expansion to Belize.
Focus on COVID-19 relief throughout the year.
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2023
Ferrier Secondary School has its inaugural senior class.
Help One Now Impact Trips resume post COVID.
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2024
Help One Now celebrates 15 years of doing good and empowering families together through our 15 Strong Campaign!
Aschalew Abebe, Ph.D.
Edward Magumba
Jean Alix Paul
Jean St. Cyr
John Chinyowa
Julie Miguel
Mercedes & Willie Malpartida
Ray Misomali
Rod Davis
Our Values and Beliefs
Transparent
We treat all relationships like friendships, valuing openness and honesty in every conversation. Whether with our team, donors, or international partners, we are always clear, genuine, and upfront.
Inclusive
Our table is open to all who want to contribute to doing good. We embrace diverse perspectives and personalities, seeing strength in our differences. While we acknowledge tensions, we prioritize connection, empathy, and mutual respect.
Collaborative
We believe our greatest asset is each other. Working together, whether with our team, donors, or partners, is how we achieve our best results. Collaboration is key to our success.
Innovative
We are driven by creativity, fun, and entrepreneurship. We embrace challenges and take initiative to find solutions, tackling everything from small obstacles to complex issues with a fresh perspective.
Empowered
Empowerment is at the core of what we do. We are dedicated to uplifting our team, donors, and communities. We believe everyone’s voice is important and strive to help everyone reach their fullest potential.
Committed
We are dedicated to the families, children, and partners we serve worldwide. We’re in this for the long term, fostering sustainable, dignified change. We also remain deeply committed to our donors, ensuring their contributions create the greatest impact possible.